       2010 Hyundai Genesis 4.6. Click image to enlarge |
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2010 Hyundai Genesis sedan
Three words that make the heart of an automotive journalist stop more than a press trip buffet table; long term tester.
Thanks to the folks at Hyundai Auto Canada, a Cabernet Red Pearl Genesis 4.6L Sedan will be making its home in Manitoba for the coming months, as a long-term tester for CD, as well as The Roadtrip with Kelly Taylor and Michael Clark on CJOB 680. Equipped with the Technology Package Upgrade, this top-juice luxo-sedan carries an MSRP of $49,999. Let your noddle warm over that number for a minute: under 50-large for a V8, rear-drive, full-whack loaded festival of sport and comfort: sounds too good to be true. (Pricing shown does not include freight, taxes, regional or promotional incentives.)
Moving from left to right, we begin with the driver’s door pod and surrounding controls. Power window lifts occur, with Auto ascent/descent for the front panes. The mirror toggle controls heated, self-dimming exterior mirrors, equipped with turn signal indicators. Power folding mirrors have yet to arrive. Towards the door pocket postal code are power releases for trunk and fuel door. Near the door handle is the two memory position keys, for driver’s seat, mirror, and power tilt/telescoping column placement. This switch bank includes an inspired location for the rear power sunshade, which will collapse during Reverse engagement.
Front and rear passengers are greeted by blue-glow sill plates. Puddle lamps have been placed on the underbelly of the door panels. To the left of the driver is the switch bank for the parking sensors, Adaptive Front Lighting System, stability control, IP dimmer, and the electronic parking brake with automatic vehicle hold. It will allow the vehicle to remain stationary, with no brake pedal input, and release only when the gas pedal is depressed. The Lexus-esque four-spoke wheel sports keys for audio, Bluetooth phone, Smart Cruise Control, and voice-activated feature access. There’s also an access key for the IP information display, with the expected fuel economy mapping.
The six-speed SHIFTRONIC includes a manu-gate at floor level, with no shift paddle availability for the current model year. Auto headlamps are included, as well as auto rain-sensing windshield wipers. First impressions of the Driver Information System with Multimedia Controller drew a smidge of eye mist for the simplicity of the twist access to everything from HVAC to audio tailoring.
The 6-DVD Lexicon audio head unit doesn’t just sound like the innards of a Rolls Royce (the only other place you can get it); it also includes a simple volume knob, all by its well-thought lonesome, within close reach of the driver. The HVAC controls form a Mona Lisa smile beneath the Navi/info display. Venting occurs in the rear for the B-pillar and the rear of the console, with a simple dial for temperature adjustment on the console outlets. The clarity of the screen for audio, reverse camera view, and the Navi map are first-rate. Detailed use analysis will follow in future updates.
  2010 Hyundai Genesis 4.6. Click image to enlarge |
Tip-out door pockets occur for the front doors, with smaller fixed versions in the rear. Neither pocket is bottle holder-specific, though one has to wonder about the space and depth of the door panel pulls, which could easily accept popular energy drink cans. (Doesn’t mean you should.) The locking glovebox still provides ample storage, even with the lump of owner’s lit. Note the lock-out switch for the rear trunk release. Below the DVD inlet is the parking spot for the keyless fob, and a thin open cubby. A flip-top door reveals the front dual cupholder, with a removable rubber bed, and four spring-loaded cinchers per cup cavity. The rear armrest holds a similar system, with removable pads, good depth, and sadly, no cinchers. Rear seatbacks are storage pocket-equipped. The centre console gets a top-mount flock-lined storage compartment, with an ingenious slide tab for feeding through a power or connectivity cable. For those of us who appreciate the sports sedan driving experience, it should be noted that the console lid does not interfere with steering wheel inputs at the correct 9-and-3 position. The lower compartment holds a 12-volt DC powerpoint, and a protective flip-top cover for the USB and auxiliary audio jack inputs. Ahead of the shifter is a sliding cover for the smoker’s package, which does not yet appear to have a delete option.
   2010 Hyundai Genesis 4.6. Click image to enlarge |
Dual vanity mirrors include sliding covers, which are the on/off switch for the overhead lighting. Both visors slide for additional sunblock. The auto-dimming interior rearview mirror includes a compass display, and Homelink transmitter. The sunglasses holder is ample, with non-marring internal padding. The full-auto moonroof opens wide, and tilts with generous venting. Note the fine detail of the headliner fabric finishing. (Pay attention, FoMoCo.) Antenna is of the shark-fin variety.
Full power glide/recline occurs for both driver and front passenger, with the driver receiving the power lumbar bladder. General weirdness surrounds the front passenger seat, equipped with three-step heat only, while the driver gets the trifecta for heating and cooling. I have seen similar issues in other front passenger seats, usually due to the occupant sensor or airbag placement, so stay tuned on the Why. The 2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited can now be had with rear heated seats, so I would expect this to be available in the Genesis too. The leather seats have soft, comfortable hides.
 2010 Hyundai Genesis 4.6. Click image to enlarge |
Every inch of the trunk cavity has been tastefully trimmed. Dual protected lamps illuminate the cavity. An interior pull-down handle should keep soiled clothing to a minimum. Floor-mount tethers secure the cargo netting. The rear seatback is stationary, as per the majority of luxo-sports. A non-locking centre pass-through has been provided.
Life’s better with a tether, like this strap to hold the cargo floor aloft. The jacking tools are held in a foam biscuit, atop the space-saver temporary spare tire. Note the rear placement of the battery. Hyundai will change that spare for you, during the first three years of ownership, with no mileage limit.
 2010 Hyundai Genesis 4.6. Click image to enlarge |
The 375-horsepower 4.6-litre V8 isn’t as tight as you might think. Note the good access to the coil-on plugs arrangement. Fluid level fill points are without issue, with the exception of a non-existent transmission dipstick.
Is it time for Lexus, Infiniti, et al to get worried? Dang straight. This luxo-sport appears to be going after EVERYBODY.
